Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Reykjavik

Arrive in the Icelandic capital this morning and make your own way to your included Reykjavik hotel. You will have the day on your own to explore the city. Join us at the hotel in the evening for a welcome reception and orientation.See more images and videos

2Day 2Golden Circle and Embarkation

After breakfast, we will venture south from Reykjavik along Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route, starting with Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we’ll enter a dramatic landscape of wild contrasts, with lava plains, clear lakes and wildflowers in the shadow of soaring mountains. This was also the site of Iceland’s parliament from 930 until 1798. We will also visit Iceland’s most famous waterfall, Gullfoss, at the height of its flow. We complete the Golden Circle with Haukadalur, where we’ll see the Strokkur geyser erupt every 5-10 minutes as well as plenty of other evidence of the intense geological processes beneath our feet.
Later this afternoon we’ll make our way to the Ocean Nova and set sail.See more images and videos

3Day 3Grundarfjörður

Today we will reach the photogenic Snaefellsnes peninsula and visit our first small Icelandic town. We will sail into the small harbour and have a chance to walk around this picturesque fishing village. In the afternoon, we will sail to the westernmost point of Iceland. If we can stop at the seabird colony, we will spot Atlantic puffins, Thick-billed murres and Black-legged kittiwakes.See more images and videos

4Day 4Ísafjörður

We awake to the sight of the Westfjords area, with its high rock walls carved by intense glacier action. Here we’ll find the colourful town of Ísafjörður, home to a charming museum dedicated to Iceland’s rich maritime history. We may also have a chance to sample some local Icelandic delicacies and take in some local entertainment. In the afternoon we will explore the dramatic fjords that make this area famous.See more images and videos

5Day 5Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon

Today we’ll visit one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, the Blue Lagoon. You’ll be able to soak in the geothermally-heated seawater, rumoured to be good for both the body and soul. For those who don’t crave the comforts of the spa, an optional round of golf is also available at the Continental Drift Club, where the American and Eurasian plates meet.See more images and videos

6Day 6Heimay and Surtsey Islands

Lying off the southern coast of Iceland, these islands are an example of the constant geological battle being waged underground. In 1973 a volcanic eruption destroyed many buildings on the islands and today a project dubbed the ‘Pompeii of the North’ aims to excavate those ruins. Not to be out-named, the entire archipelago has been called the ‘Capri of the North’ because of all the sea caves created by frequent volcanic activity. Sea birds, including puffins, call this place home.See more images and videos

7Day 7Jökulsárlón and Höfn

This morning we visit one of the most impressive wonders of Iceland: Vatnajökull Glacier. At over 300m (1,000 ft) tall, we can’t appreciate the full scale of the ice until we get out on Jökulsárlón Lake and sail among the icebergs that frequently calve from the ice face. In the afternoon we arrive at Höfn, a small and traditional fishing community.See more images and videos

8Day 8Seydisfjordur

We’ll call into Seydisfjordur, a small, friendly town with a thriving art scene. We can visit the power plant museum, shop for locally-produced handicrafts in the town, and join a tour conducted by the locals. The area also boasts over 90 archaeological sites, some dating back 1,000 years.See more images and videos

9Day 9The first of two days spent exploring Húsavík and Grimsey Islands.

Húsavík is an excellent example of the geological processes that have made Iceland famous. We will spend the day crossing through the highland lava desert, past lava formations, mud pools and sulfur pits en route to the impressive canyons and waterfalls that lie beyond. Returning back to town, we’ll have a chance to wander around and visit the Whale and Exploration Museums before boarding the Ocean Nova. This area is the center of the whale-watching industry in Iceland, so we’ll be on the lookout for whales as the ship pulls away from this pretty town.
In the late afternoon, we should cross the Arctic Circle and reach Grimsey Island. The abundant bird life far outnumbers the fewer than one hundred residents of this small village.See more images and videos

Today we reach the very top of Iceland, as we venture north into the peaceful bay of Hornvik. Grand landscapes and exploration will be the order of the day, with a chance to stretch our legs and marvel at the geology and bird life that dominate the area.See more images and videos

12Day 12Disembarkation in Akureyri

On our last day, we arrive in Akureyri and board our charter flight back to Reykjavik, where we will transfer you to downtown.See more images and videos

Your images

Adult Group

The Ocean Nova takes a maximum capacity of 78 passengers.The Exodus group forms part of the ship’s complement (max of approx. 100), enjoying the relaxed, intimate and informal atmosphere, which breaks into smaller groups to facilitate the frequent excursions. We offer these cruises in conjunction with our partner, Quark Expeditions, and Exodus participants will join an international group, not all of whom have booked through Exodus. Occasionally some of these may be younger than 12 years old, the Exodus' stated minimum age for this trip.

Activity level

You are healthy, enjoy the outdoors and want a relaxing trip. No experience is required.

What's included

What's included

All meals while on the ship

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughut and qualified Expedition Staff

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request)

Visas or vaccinations

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
No visa required for British passport holders.
There are no specific health risks. Holiday style

Travelling Conditions
The voyages are designed to be as flexible as possible, taking advantage of circumstances and events as they occur, as well as passengers' wishes and particular interests wherever possible. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and friendly with expedition staff, including naturalists and Polar experts, on hand and the opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world. The ship is kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet/mud room in which to hang gear and store boots ready for the next adventure.

On the Zodiac cruises you are sitting still for most of the time with the potential for some sea spray and a cold headwind - if you are not dressed appropriately you will get cold. On the shore excursions, the majority of landings are wet which means that the Zodiacs beach and you are helped to slide into the ankle deep shore break before walking up onto dry land (wellington boots are issued to all passengers).

There are, of course, no paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and sometimes fairly deep snow. Back on board the cosy ship after each adventure, you can have a sauna and/or a hot shower and then relax with a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or something stronger from the bar.

Eating & drinking

All meals while on the ship included.

The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.

Breakfast: Buffet style - unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.

Lunch: Three course set meal, or the occasional buffet or BBQ.

Dinner: Three courses with a starter of soup, salad or anti-pasto, a choice of three mains with at least one vegetarian and one seafood option and a dessert of sweet pudding or ice cream or fruit, tea and coffee.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want to know about this trip, including
detailed itinerary and full kit list

Gallery

Reviews & community

Review your adventure
Be the first to post your review? If you have recently returned from an Exodus adventure and want to help other travellers with your feedback then simply use the link below to post your holiday review.
Exodus insightsFrom our community

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

How do I join the Departure Lounge (forum) in the Exodus Community?

To view the Forums, including the Departure Lounge, you do not need to be member of the Exodus Community, simply click on the Community link at the top of every page and read the posts in their respective sections by entering the Departure Lounge, or one of the other options in the list on the page.

To join in a discussion, if already a member, please sign in to your Exodus website account (not related to booking reservations) to contribute to the Forum. If you are not a member of the Exodus Community, you can register by clicking the 'Sign in' at the top of every webpage and select ‘Register’ within the drop down panel.

When viewing the Forum area of the website, as you scroll through the 'Rooms' which are set out by 'travel months' during the current year within the Departure Lounge. You can then select the 'month' of intended travel, then filter the list of trips that have already been created by fellow travellers to see if your trip is listed. If the trip you are travelling on is not in the list, you can start the process by clicking on the 'Post new forum topic' link above the list on the same page. If you do see your trip within the list, select it to view the 'discussion' by your fellow travellers and you can join in by completing the 'Post your comment' section below the discussion thread.

Please note: there might be slight a delay before your post/comment appears as intended because we moderate what is published on the website.

We hope you enjoy using the Departure Lounge to meet your fellow travellers and continue to contribute right up to the start of your journey with Exodus.

Responsible travel

We realise that every holiday destination is also someone else's home and that we should leave places as we found them. Find out more about how we incorporate responsible travel into our adventure and activity holidays, and how you can help by donating to one of our responsible travel projects.